The Harmony Company of Chicago, IL was one of the largest American musical instrument manufacturers. Harmony has the historical distinction of being the largest "jobber" house in the nation, producing stringed instruments for a number of different wholesalers. Individual dealers or distributors could get stringed instruments with their own brand name on it (as long as they ordered a minimum of 100 pieces). At one time the amount of instruments being produced by Harmony made up the largest percentage of stringed instruments being manufactured in the U.S. market (archtops, flattops, electric Spanish, Hawaiian bodies, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, violins, and more).
Harmony was founded by Wilhelm J.F. Schultz in 1892. Schultz, a German immigrant and former foreman of Lyon & Healy's drum division, started his new company with four employees. By 1884, the number of employees had grown to forty, and Shultz continued to expand into larger and larger factories through 1904. Shultz built Harmony up to a 125 employee workforce (and a quarter of a million dollars in annual sales) by 1915.
In 1916, the Sears, Roebuck Company purchased Harmony, and seven years later the company had annual sales of 250,000 units. Max Adler, a Sears executive, appointed Jay Kraus as vice-president of Harmony in 1925. The following year Kraus succeeded founder Wilhelm Schultz as president, and continued expanding production. In 1930, annual sales were reported to be 500,000 units, with 35 to 40 percent being sold to Sears (catalog sales). Harmony had no branch offices, territorial restrictions, or dealer reps - wholesalers purchased the musical instruments and aggressively sold to music stores.
Harmony bought several trademarks from the bankrupt Oscar Schmidt Company in 1939, and their Sovereign and Stella lines were Harmony's more popular guitars. In 1940, Krause bought Harmony by acquiring the controlling stock, and continued to expand the company's production to meet the market boom during the 1950s and 1960s. Mr. Kraus remained president until 1968, when he died of a heart attack. Charles Rubovits (who had been with Harmony since 1935) took over as president, and remained in that position for two years. Kraus' trust still maintained control over Harmony, and trust members attempted to form a conglomerate by purchasing Chicago-based distributor Targ & Dinner and a few other companies. Company (or more properly the conglomerate's) indebtedness and the cheap mid-grade guitars that were being imported from Asia, led to a liquidation auction to satisfy creditors - although Harmony continued to turn in impressive annual sales figures right up until the company was dissolved in 1975.
In the late 1970s, the Harmony trademark was sold and licensed for use on a line of Asian-built guitars. From the late 1970s through the 1990s, Harmony was mainly used on cheap entry-level guitars that were often sold through mass merchandisers. The trademark and licensing agreements were also bought and sold several times throughout this period. In 2000, MBT International began to distribute Harmony guitars with a line of acoustic and electric instruments mainly based on popular American designs; however, by 2001, this licensing agreement was dissolved.
Current Harmony president Charlie Subecz bought the Harmony trademark in the mid-1990s, and by the mid-2000s, he decided to reintroduce the Harmony guitar line. Instead of using Harmony as simply a budget brand of copied models, Subecz went to work on offering vintage Harmony guitars that were reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s. Unfortunately, no blueprints or records existed on Harmony's vintage guitars, so Subecz and his crew had to obtain physical examples of these guitars. Examples were then sent to Korea where they were precisely duplicated and readied for production.
Harmony currently offers a line of vintage reproduction guitars as well as a custom line of guitars that feature newer designs and technology. For more information, visit Harmony's website or contact them directly.
Harmony company history courtesy Tom Wheeler, American Guitars, Harmony model information courtesy John Kinnemeyer of JK Lutherie, Ryland Fitchett of Rockohaulix, Ronald Rothman of Rothman's Guitars.
Instruments currently produced in China and Korea since 2007. Previously produced in the Chicago, IL area between the 1890s and 1975, and in various Asian countries including Korea from the mid-1970s through the early 2000s. Distributed by The Original Harmony Guitar Company, Inc. in Palatine, IL. See Chapter on House Brands.

HARMONY Acoustic Guitars Models

HARMONY H 55 SOVEREIGN DUAL PURPOSE Image

HARMONY H 55 SOVEREIGN DUAL PURPOSE

- dreadnought style, spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, pinless bridge, black teardrop-shaped pickguard, three-per-side Waverly tuners, pickup (concealed under fingerboard),...

HARMONY H 1230 GRAND CONCERT 12-STRING Image

HARMONY H 1230 GRAND CONCERT 12-STRING

- select spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides, bound body, mahogany neck, 12/18-fret tapered rosewood fingerboard with white dot position markers, solid headstock, dual-saddle rosewood bridge/chrome metal tailpiece, six-per-side...

HARMONY H 164 "JET SET" SOVEREIGN FOLK GUITAR Image

HARMONY H 164 "JET SET" SOVEREIGN FOLK GUITAR

- dreadnought style, 24.25 in. scale, select spruce top, bound body, round soundhole with inlaid rings, hardwood back/sides/neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, rosewood pin bridge, white edged tear-drop shaped black...

HARMONY H 945 MASTER (AUDITORIUM SIZE) Image

HARMONY H 945 MASTER (AUDITORIUM SIZE)

- celluloid bound hollow body, arched hardwood top/back, two f-holes, 20-fret ebonized maple fingerboard with white block inlay, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, adjustable ebonized bridge/raised tailpiece, raised shell pickguard wit...

HARMONY H 150 STUDIO SPECIAL (3/4 SIZE) Image

HARMONY H 150 STUDIO SPECIAL (3/4 SIZE)

- dreadnought style, celluloid bound hardwood top, round soundhole, hardwood back/sides, 12/18-fret ebonized maple fingerboard, pinless bridge, white celluloid pickguard, three-per-side tuners, available in Natural finish, length 34.25 in.,...

HARMONY H 171 CLASSIC/FOLK Image

HARMONY H 171 CLASSIC/FOLK

- nylon string, 25.25 in.scale, spruce top, round soundhole, hardwood back/sides/neck, 12/19-fret ebonized maple fingerboard, slotted headstock, pinless bridge, three-per-side Waverly tuners, available in Pumpkin finish, length 36 in., body...

HARMONY H 151 BEST BEGINNERS (3/4 SIZE) Image

HARMONY H 151 BEST BEGINNERS (3/4 SIZE)

- dreadnought style, bound hardwood top, celluloid edge binding, round soundhole, hardwood back/sides, 12/18-fret maple fingerboard, bolted-on pinless bridge, black celluloid batwing pickguard with vine design, solid blackface headstock, th...

HARMONY H 1270 JUMBO 12-STRING Image

HARMONY H 1270 JUMBO 12-STRING

- select spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides, bound body, 12/18-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot position markers, slotted headstock, dual-saddle rosewood bridge/chrome metal tailpiece, six-per-side Waverly tuners, tear...

HARMONY HTG 1201 TENOR GUITAR Image

HARMONY HTG 1201 TENOR GUITAR

- tenor (four-string) configuration, spruce top/mahogany back/sides, round soundhole, mahogany neck, celluloid edge binding, 14/20-fret fingerboard with white dot inlay, ebonized pin bridge, shell celluloid pickguard, two-per-side tuners, a...

HARMONY H 172 Image

HARMONY H 172

- nylon string, 25.25 in.scale, bound spruce top, fan ribbed, round soundhole with marquetry inlay, hardwood back/sides/neck, 12/19-fret ebonized maple fingerboard, rosewood pinless bridge, three-per-side Waverly tuners, available in Pumpki...

HARMONY H 950 MONTEREY LEADER Image

HARMONY H 950 MONTEREY LEADER

- celluloid bound hollow body, arched hardwood top/back, two f-holes, 20-fret ebonized maple fingerboard with white dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, adjustable ebonized bridge/raised tailpiece, raised black pickguard with...

HARMONY H 159 JUMBO Image

HARMONY H 159 JUMBO

- dreadnought style, 25.25 in.scale, hardwood top, white striped edge/black pin line, white celluloid bindings, round soundhole with simulated marquetry inlay, hardwood back/sides, 20-fret ebonized maple fingerboard with white dot inlay, eb...

HARMONY H 173 Image

HARMONY H 173

- nylon string, bound select spruce top, bound round soundhole, hardwood back/sides/neck, 12/19-fret ebonized maple fingerboard, ebonized maple tie bridge, three-per-side tuners, squared slotted headstock, available in Natural finish, Lengt...

HARMONY H 174 Image

HARMONY H 174

- nylon string, bound seasoned spruce top, round soundhole with inlay, mahogany back/sides/neck, 12/19-fret fingerboard, rosewood tie bridge, three-per-side tuners, rounded slotted headstock, available in Natural finish, length 38.5 in., bo...

HARMONY H 162 GRAND CONCERT Image

HARMONY H 162 GRAND CONCERT

- dreadnought style, 24.25 in.scale, spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides, hardwood neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, adjustable truss rod, rosewood pin bridge, shell celluloid pickguard, three-per-side...

HARMONY H 1204 "JET SET" SOVEREIGN GRAND CONCERT Image

HARMONY H 1204 "JET SET" SOVEREIGN GRAND CONCERT

- dreadnought style, 24.25 in.scale, rosewood top, round soundhole, hardwood back/sides, 19-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable truss rod, adjustable pin bridge, three-per-side Waverly tuners, available in Natural finish, length 40 in., b...

HARMONY H 954 BROADWAY (AUDITORIUM SIZE) Image

HARMONY H 954 BROADWAY (AUDITORIUM SIZE)

- bound hollowbody, arched select hardwood top/hardwood back/sides, two f-holes, 20-fret ebonized maple fingerboard with white dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, adjustable bridge/raised tailpiece, raised celluloid pickguard...

HARMONY H 1260 JUMBO Image

HARMONY H 1260 JUMBO

- jumbo style, 25.25 in.scale, spruce top/mahogany back/sides, round soundhole, mahogany neck, shell edge binding, 19-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, pinless bridge, teardrop-shaped pickguard, three-per-side Waverly tuners,...

HARMONY H 175 Image

HARMONY H 175

- nylon string, 25.25 in.scale, black bound select spruce top, fan ribbed, round soundhole with wood marquetry inlay, mahogany neck, hard maple back/sides, 12/19-fret ebonized maple fingerboard, slotted headstock with wood marquetry inlay,...

HARMONY H 177 Image

HARMONY H 177

- nylon string, 25.25 in.scale, bound seasoned spruce top, bound back, fan ribbed, round soundhole with marquetry inlay, mahogany back/sides/neck, 12/19-fret ebonized hard maple fingerboard, pinless rosewood bridge, slotted headstock, three...

HARMONY H 1264 "JET SET" SOVEREIGN JUMBO Image

HARMONY H 1264 "JET SET" SOVEREIGN JUMBO

- dreadnought style, 25.25 in.scale, bound spruce top, round soundhole with wood marquetry inlay, hardwood back/sides, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with white block inlays, adjustable mustache-style bridge with white pins, two black batw...

HARMONY H 162/1 FOLK (GRAND CONCERT SIZE) Image

HARMONY H 162/1 FOLK (GRAND CONCERT SIZE)

- dreadnought style, 24.25 in.scale, spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides, 19-fret rosewood fingerboard, adjustable truss rod, pinned bridge, black pickguard, three-per-side Waverly tuners, available in Natural finish, length 39...

HARMONY H 1266 SOVEREIGN DELUXE JUMBO Image

HARMONY H 1266 SOVEREIGN DELUXE JUMBO

- dreadnought style, 25.25 in. scale, bound spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with white block inlays, adjustable mustache-style bridge with white pins, two black batwing pickguards (one on ea...

HARMONY H 937 STUDENT GUITAR Image

HARMONY H 937 STUDENT GUITAR

- nylon string, 24.25 in.scale, hardwood top, round soundhole, hardwood back/sides, 18-fret ebonized maple fingerboard, slotted headstock, pinless bridge, three-per-side Waverly tuners, available in Natural finish, length 36 in., body width...

HARMONY H 956 Montclair Image

HARMONY H 956 Montclair

- similar to the H 956 W, except features white block fingerboard inlay, available in Black finish, length 40.5 in., body width 16.5 in., mfg. 1966-67.

HARMONY H 1265 Sovereign Deluxe Jumbo Image

HARMONY H 1265 Sovereign Deluxe Jumbo

- similar to the H 1266, except features two-piece black "State of Alaska"-shaped pickguard, available in Sunburst finish, length 41.5 in., body width 16 in., body thickness 4.08 in., mfg. 1967-68.

HARMONY H 166 FOLK Image

HARMONY H 166 FOLK

- dreadnought style, 24.25 in.scale, spruce top, white body binding, round soundhole, hardwood back/sides/neck, 19-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, pin bridge, three-per-side Waverly tuners, black batwing-pickguard with...

HARMONY H 1300 CREMONA Image

HARMONY H 1300 CREMONA

- bound body, arched spruce top/maple back, two segmented f-holes, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearlette block inlay, pearlette inlaid logo on rosewood peghead veneer, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, adjustable bridge/raised t...

HARMONY H 167 FOLK Image

HARMONY H 167 FOLK

- dreadnought style, spruce top, round soundhole, hardwood back/sides, 19-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, rosewood pin bridge with white bridgepins, six-on-a-side tuners, white truss rod cover, black "batwing"...

HARMONY H 168 Folk Image

HARMONY H 168 Folk

- similar to the H 167 Folk, available in Pumpkin Top/Dark Rosewood Body Color finish, length 39 in., body width 15.125 in., mfg. circa 1969-1970.

HARMONY H 180 GRAND CONCERT Image

HARMONY H 180 GRAND CONCERT

- dreadnought style, bound selected spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides, 19-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, adjustable saddle rosewood pin bridge with white bridgepins, black pickguard with design pattern,...

HARMONY H 1325 MONTEREY (GRAND AUDITORIUM) Image

HARMONY H 1325 MONTEREY (GRAND AUDITORIUM)

- celluloid bound hollowbody, arched spruce top/hardwood back/sides, two f-holes, 20-fret bound fingerboard with white dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, adjustable bridge/raised tailpiece, raised shell pickguard with stenci...

HARMONY H 181 GRAND CONCERT Image

HARMONY H 181 GRAND CONCERT

- similar to the H 180, except features inlaid rings rosette, available in Pumpkin Top/Dark Rosewood stain finish, Length 39 in., Body Width 15.125 in., mfg. circa 1969-1970.

HARMONY H 1407 PATRICIAN (AUDITORIUM SIZE) Image

HARMONY H 1407 PATRICIAN (AUDITORIUM SIZE)

- shell celluloid bound hollowbody, arched spruce top/mahogany back/sides, mahogany neck, two f-holes, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, adjustable bridge/raised tailpiece, raised she...

HARMONY H 182 GRAND CONCERT Image

HARMONY H 182 GRAND CONCERT

- dreadnought style, 24.25 in. scale, bound selected spruce top, round soundhole, mahogany back/sides/neck, 19-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, bound blackface headstock with decorative design, adjustable pin bridge, te...